Antunes, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said he regrets what he called the lack of progress on freedom of expression in Turkey.

He also urged Turkey to accept the internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot government on the divided island, and to improve religious, cultural and women's rights at home.

EU officials began membership talks with Turkey in 2005. But the union partially suspended negotiations on eight of 35 policy areas, or chapters in December because of Ankara's refusal to grant access to its ports and airports by EU member Cyprus.

The Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded in response to a coup in Nicosia aiming at uniting Cyprus with Greece.